Hopkins vs. Calzaghe: 160 Clinches

[Degsy]

Yea I'm increasingly left thinking why didn't Joe counter more, avoid the clinches. At times I thought he really wasn't doing enough research having only watched a few of Bernardss fights, I don't think that's something clever to brag about.

He did however make progressively perceptive comments like, he'll head but me, clinch, fight dirty, counter etc. That was only the half of it, and with even minimal effort into research and game plans, he'd have been much more effective againsst Hops and got a clear UD.

I think these are partial signs of a non a pro trainer amongst other things. Hopkins team planned and nutured Hopkins to counter a south paw, how to spoil Joes quick hands, and slow the pace, so he made it close by winning the war of the gameplans. Joe didn't even enter into that battle for me.

He can't always rely on adjusting in the ring mid fight as it's close. Even when he did adjust, he was always accepting the clinch, not countering, taking upper cuts, moving and knocking Hops, in the way Floyd did against Hatton when he came flying in.

This is the main reason I only give Joe 50/50 against RJJ, because he's not willing to research the fighter in various scenarios, assess they're likely game plan, and shape one or two yourself. "I've not lost yet so it's working" is not good enough. If Hops could spoil him and force a close fight, let that be a warning to be one step ahead and planning an effective style and game plan in the future.

That is a very good post, it does make you think how much better he could have been, not replacing Enzo who motivates him perfectly, but with a technical adviser, someone to break down both his and his opponent's technique. It leaves you wondering how much better he could have been (with Enzo still co-coaching and motivating of course)

[Allucard]

I was being fair by not including the attempted clinches! Honestly, I'm trying to be nice to Bernard.

As a contrast, I watched the Hopkins vs. Johnson fight again last night. The guy was wicked back then (1997).

Hopkins is a 43 year old man. For him to be able to step into the ring is a miracle. Can't ask much more of him can you?

[Derranged]

Calzaghe looks like crap all on his own...........Bernard just helped.

Against certain fighters like Trinidad and Tarver.......Hopkins dominated and look good in there. Fighting a slapper in Joe and a guy with a Turtle defense like Winky helped in making the fights ugly.

Hopkins MADE the fight look ugly with all his holding. Calzaghe doesnt need to hold.

[S A M U R A I]

Hopkins is a 43 year old man. For him to be able to step into the ring is a miracle. Can't ask much more of him can you?

Absolutely not. I have nothing but admiration for the fact that he's still doing what hes doing at such an age. Nothing I have written suggests otherwise.



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[revs1227]

Almost all clinches were initiated by Hopkins.

nooooooooooooo are kidding??????????????



..
..
every single one was lol !

[pesticid]

160 clinches initiated by Bhop and Zaghe still lands on him more than any of his previous opponents. Wow!

[ИATAS]

^^this fight was a good reason why compubox sucks.

And it should be noted that was bhop's strategy from the start. Hopkins has never cared about looking good for his audience and isn't scared to stink up the joint.

Hopkins always tries to take his opponents best weapon away from them. Hopkins said Joe's best weapon was his work rate. So by clinching so much the theory was to cut joe's workrate in half.

I think it's the perfect strategy to beat Calzaghe. The only problem was hopkins failed to realize him not throwing enough punches himself wont win rounds, especially considering most judges these days score rounds to who threw more, so when hopkins slowed down his own punch output late in the fight (likely due to fatigue) he gave some of those critical rounds away which prevented him from winning clearly. If hopkins would have been able to keep his workrate up in the later rounds, he would have won the fight and his strategy would have worked to perfection. I just don't think he was physically up for the task that night.

[Patheticfraud?]

Here's some stats for you. I counted the clinches playing the video at 2x speed (it's hard work watching this snoozefest) but the numbers should be accurate. T

Fanboy alert, Fanboy alert!

[Nuurzhaelan]

Here's some stats for you. I counted the clinches playing the video at 2x speed (it's hard work watching this snoozefest) but the numbers should be accurate. There were quite a number of times Hopkins tried to hold but failed. These failed attempts are, of course, not counted. Near the end of round 11, Hopkins tried to bait Calzaghe into a brawl, so Calzaghe came forward... and they clinched. LOL.


Round 01: 3
Round 02: 12
Round 03: 14
Round 04: 16
Round 05: 12
Round 06: 16
Round 07: 14
Round 08: 13
Round 09: 12
Round 10: 15
Round 11: 15
Round 12: 18

Total = 160


Even more clinches in this fight than Hopkins against Winky Wright (127). Is it any wonder why Calzaghe looked like crap in this fight?

This is another reason I hate hopkins. He is a cagey wrestler, just like hatton. He just has a stronger chin and a louder mouth and, obviously, greater boxing skill.

[S A M U R A I]

Fanboy alert, Fanboy alert!

Hater alert, Hater alert!

This is another reason I hate hopkins. He is a cagey wrestler, just like hatton. He just has a stronger chin and a louder mouth and, obviously, greater boxing skill.

Nah man, you shouldn't hate him, he is one of the greats. Both made each other look like crap. The outcome would be the same no matter how many times they fought. Chalk and cheese.

160 clinches initiated by Bhop and Zaghe still lands on him more than any of his previous opponents. Wow!

Nice bump.



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